The Ultimate Ford E-350: A Van Evolution 8 Years in the Making
Ali MansourWriter
The Ultimate Ford E-350: A Van Evolution 8 Years in the Making
Ali MansourWriter
Long before minivans ruled the roadways and folks were strapping tents to their roofs, fullsize vans were king. It didn't matter if you were a tradesman, hippy, or wide-eyed adventurer, a fullsize van could be easily adapted to fit your needs. With the explosion of overlanding in recent years, it's no surprise that we've seen a reemergence in the fullsize van platform. However, few have been beating the van drum longer than Ujoint Offroad owner, Chris Steuber.
His business is one that specializes in modifying the '92-to-current Ford E-series vans. While Ujoint offers everything from bumpers to roof racks, it's primarily known for its four-wheel-drive conversion systems. This brings us to the '02 Ford E-350 feature you're reading about today. While it's a far cry from the retired ambulance Chris found in the scrapyard in 2011, to call it a typical overland build wouldn't do it justice.
In fact, in the time since he originally started wrenching on this build, it's evolved wildly every few years or so. Be it a test mule for a new suspension or a modification needed for his growing family, V4 (as he calls it) continues to push the limits of what can be done with the E-350 platform. We caught up with North Carolina-based Chris on a weekend getaway in the Southeast, where we got to get a closer look at this flatbed-meets-van medley and check out his pull-behind trailer, which is aptly named the Sherpa.
At a GlanceGeneralVehicle: '02 Ford E-350
Owner: Chris Steuber
Stomping grounds: Fletcher, North Carolina
Build Time: 8 years
DrivetrainEngine: 7.3L Power Stroke turbodiesel
Transmission: 4R100
Transfer case: NV271
Low range ratio: 2.72:1
Crawl ratio: 33.61:1
Front axle/differential: High-pinion Dana 60, Ujoint Offroad Stage 2 w/RSC upgrade, Dynatrac Free-Spin kit, 4.56 gears/Knoll Racing Power Lock
Rear axle/differential: Sterling 10.5, 4.56 gears/Yukon Grizzly Locker
SuspensionFront: Custom radius-arm three-link w/track bar; 12-in-travel, 3-in King coilovers; Speedway Engineering sway bar
Rear: Trailing-arm lowers w/triangulated uppers; 12-in-travel, 3-in King coilovers; King 2.0 air bumpstops
Steering: Crossover w/hydraulic-assist
Tires/WheelsTires: 37x13.50R17 Toyo Open Country M/T
Wheels: 17x9 Innov8 Racing beadlock
MiscellaneousArmor: Ujoint Offroad winch bumper, custom rocker guards
Cool stuff: Ujoint Offroad onboard air; Diamond Eye turbo-back 4-in exhaust, AutoMeter gauges, Warn 16.5ti winch, Southeast Overland synthetic rope, Ujoint Offroad fairlead, 30-gal fuel tank, Baja Designs LED lights (front), Rigid Industries taillights and bed light, Mag-Hytec transmission pan
